Cappadocia's Red & Green Tours: The Complete Guided Sightseeing Guide

For visitors with limited time or those who prefer the efficiency of a professional guide, Cappadocia's two most beloved tour circuits — the Red Tour and the Green Tour — offer a comprehensive introduction to the region's most iconic sights. Both are full-day excursions (approximately 8 hours) departing from Göreme, typically priced at €30–70 per person depending on the operator and what is included. **The Red Tour — Northern Cappadocia:** The Red Tour covers the highlights of northern Cappadocia and is generally considered the better starting point for first-time visitors. Sites typically included: - **Göreme Open Air Museum:** The UNESCO-listed complex of Byzantine cave churches and monasteries, mandatory on any Cappadocia itinerary. - **Uçhisar Castle:** The highest natural rock fortress in Cappadocia, offering panoramic views from its summit across every major valley and village in the region. - **Çavuşin:** A hillside village with an abandoned cave church (the Church of St. John the Baptist) and extraordinary views of the fairy chimney landscape. - **Devrent (Imagination) Valley:** Famous for its unusual rock formations, including the beloved Camel Rock and various animal-shaped formations. - **Paşabağı (Monks Valley):** Home to the most famous multi-headed fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, some with hermit dwellings carved into their caps. - **Avanos:** The pottery town on the Kızılırmak River, with a visit to a working ceramic studio. - A panoramic stop at the Göreme viewpoint. **The Green Tour — Southern Cappadocia:** The Green Tour ventures further from Göreme into the more dramatic southern landscapes. It is typically considered the more adventurous and visually varied of the two. Sites typically included: - **Derinkuyu Underground City:** The deepest and most extensive of Cappadocia's underground cities (see full guide above). - **Ihlara Valley:** The canyon walk along the Melendiz River between walls of basalt, passing Byzantine rock churches. - **Selime Monastery:** The largest rock-cut cathedral complex in Cappadocia, carved into an entire hillside at the entrance to Ihlara Valley. Stunning scale and views. - **Güvercinlik (Pigeon) Valley:** The scenic 3-km trail between Göreme and Uçhisar. - **Kaymaklı Underground City:** The more intimate sister city to Derinkuyu. **Which Tour to Choose?** If doing only one, choose the Red Tour for a surface-level but visually diverse introduction. If you have two full days, do both — they cover entirely different territory and are completely complementary. The Green Tour requires more physical activity (the Ihlara Valley walk and the underground cities both involve steps, uneven terrain, and low ceilings) and is better suited to those with a sense of adventure.